Critic's Review
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Essentially a hard bop traditionalist but possessing a sound of his own, tenor saxophonist Tommy Smith (only 24 at the time of this CD) gives fresh if not startlingly innovative perspectives to some standards on the date, plus he introduces a few new blowing tunes of his own, including a superior ballad "Julia." In contrast to the fire often shown by the young tenor great, pianist Niels Lan Doky reins in his own formidable technique and is primarily in a relaxed and laid-back mood. Bassist Mick Hutton and drummer Ian Froman are fine in support, but the focus is mostly on Tommy Smith, who is one of the most promising of the musicians in his age group. Highlights include a one-chorus version of "You've Changed," the contrast between a relatively lighthearted "Star Eyes" and a dead serious (and often Coltrane-ish) "Night and Day," and the interesting variations that he creates on a slow version of "My Old Flame." Recommended.
